Tanca Tanca

Housing Glossary

You will find information here on all topics relating to housing in Barcelona

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Accrued interest

The interest applied as a penalisation when the debtor does not comply with repayment obligations. The amount must be established in the contract.

Active supermortgage

This allows the client to choose their loan's benchmark index (MIBOR at three months, six months or a year) so that payment can benefit from lower interest rates sooner.

Adaptable instalment

Characteristic of UCI superloans that allow the borrower to not pay one instalment a year for the first three years if there are problems due to holidays, extraordinary expenses, etc.

Advanced cancellation fee

A commission arising from the financial risk involved in the advanced cancellation of an operation. The applied commission compensates the financial institution for its financial losses.

AEDE

Direct state aid for paying the deposit on a property.

Affordable housing

Group of social housing or dwellings from social renovation projects that are sold or rented at below-market prices.

Affordable rent

The cost of renting these dwellings is below market prices after being included in operations concerning the rented flat pool, social renovation or social housing promotions.

Amortisation

Payment made to repay a loan.

Amortisation period

The duration of the loan. The contract establishes the date of the first and last payments. The longer the period, the lower the payments are, but the higher the interest. You therefore pay more in the end. The monthly instalment should not exceed 35% of your net income.

API

Estate agent. A qualified professional who acts as an intermediary between the two interested parties to facilitate the signing of a real estate contract, which can be a rental agreement, a sales agreement or another similar contract. They usually charge a percentage of the sales price as compensation or commission.

Applicant

A citizen who makes a registration application to the Barcelona Social Housing Applicants Registry, and who represents the other members of the dwelling unit included in the application.

APR

Annual Equivalent Rate. Effective annual cost of the mortgage in terms of interest, commissions and the repayment period. To compare loans, it is not enough to just look at the lowest APR, you also have to compare the conditions, the repayment period and the distribution of instalment payments.

Arbitri municipal de plusvàlua

Former denomination of the capital gains tax on landed property.

Assessment

The value of a dwelling certified by a specialised assessment company, in accordance with the mortgage market law. This certificate not only indicates the real value of the property, it also serves as a reference for obtaining the necessary financing.

Authorisation

Document in which the owner authorises the tenant to carry out building work in the dwelling's interior.

Close glossary

Housing offices only offer face-to-face assistance by prior appointment, so check out the “Housing calls you” service here to receive the most appropriate personalised assistance. If you also need assistance in energy rights, book an appointment with an energy-advice point (PAE) by clicking here. On the other hand, if you reside in an IMHAB public dwelling you can consult our contact, management and processing channels here.​

Fewer buses in Ronda de la Universitat

26/11/2020 - 17:21

Mobility and transport. Eleven of the fifteen bus services with routes originating in Ronda de la Universitat will be relocated to gain pedestrian space and reduce pollution.

Agreement between the Government of Catalonia and the AMB to rearrange the bus-stops for interurban bus services with routes originating in the city centre. Eleven of the fifteen lines which circulate along Ronda de la Universitat and five other points will be shifted to bus stations or areas where they have less of an impact for local people. The goal is to enhance service and reduce pollution, noise and build-ups of passengers on the pavements.

At present, 400 interurban buses park in Ronda de la Universitat every day, providing service to 8,000 users.

The buses take up two lanes of traffic and the pavements act as waiting areas for passengers.

The reorganisation of these bus-stops will enable the presence of buses in the street to be cut by 60%.

Which bus services will be relocated?

Services to be transferred from Ronda de la Universitat:

  • One line operating the route Lleida-Berga-Puigcerdà.
  • Three lines operating the route Olesa-Manresa.
  • One line operating the route Castelldefels-Port Ginesta.
  • Three non-express lines to the Maresme area-
  • Three lines to the Garraf area.

From other city centre locations:

  • Two lines operating the route Olot-Camprodon.
  • One line for Tortosa, Amposta and Batea.
  • One line for Salou, Reus, Cambrils and Tarragona.
  • One line for Vic.

Where will the stops be located?

The bus stops will be shifted from Ronda de la Universitat to bus stations or areas where they have less of an impact for local people.

Some 85% are currently located around the city, while the Sants, Fabra i Puig and Nord bus station are operating below their capacity.

The changes will start being applied in the first quarter of 2021.

Towards an efficient bus service

Other measures currently under way to make the city’s bus network more efficient include:

  • Improvements to the Sant Andreu Arenal and Nord bus stations.
  • New bus lane in Av. Esplugues.
  • New bus lane sections in Gran Via.
  • Widening of bus lanes in Av. Diagonal.

These measures are in addition to work promoting mobility on foot, on public transport and by bike, to move towards a safer, healthier, friendlier and more sustainable city.